Programming Rollercoaster

It’s fun and satisfying to be able to build amazing sites and apps that people can use and enjoy. It is also greatly satisfying to solve a problem that has been plaguing you what feels like forever.

It can throw you into a pit of despair and make you question all your life decisions. So what do you do when it seems like everything you try just isn’t working?

Get up and walk away….Not forever of course. Get up, stretch and move around. Step away from the computer. When you linger to long on a problem your mind gets lost and the seemingly easy solution is lost to you.

Talk it out…Whether it maybe with another engineer or your favorite rubber duck…talk it out. The theory is that is when you speak out loud you exercise parts of the brain that are not not used when thinking in silence.

Do something mindless…When I am stuck I go and do something that has nothing to do with programming. Whether it is taking a shower or playing a video game or crocheting. It is amazing how a thought or solution can easily pop into your head.

Sleep on it…My most productive time of the day is first thing in the morning after I have rested. I can’t even begin to tell you how many issues I have solved first thing in the morning.